The recently held TDAP fashion showcase, under Rabia Javeri, had a host of designers strutting their stuff down the ramp. The well edited fashion lineup was quick and the shows back to back, since the collections were capsule collections. Quite an amount of foreign buyers made their way to the fashion show and apparently many a good deals have been struck with the designers with invitations to showcase in Athens to Paris. However the mainstay what it boils down to is that whether these designers can back up their style with enough production substance to fulfil the orders…because at the end of the day it is a business that needs to be run.

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RIZWAN BEYG ‘s RANG: The collection was same as what he showcased at PFDC (review here) earlier this year, with a few added menswear pieces. The collection still had me going adding more pieces from the collection on my wishlist. Still on a lookout for this yummyness on the retail front.

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NOMADIC FAIZA: Faiza Samee is one veteran designer who has pretty much surprised everyone with her luxury pret shows. Her latest outing was inspired by Nomadic tribes featuring prints inspired by them. Sharp colors combined with an array of earthy tones and tunics with print on print in silks, Faiza seems to be on a winning spree. The designer usually known for her bridals, Faiza certainly has the perfect sensibility to translate her aesthetics onto pret wear. With a line of lawn under her kitty, apart from experience, the veteran is not alien to the concept and knows the pulse of her audience well. Can she deliver? I do not see why its impossible. LOVED IT. However her dramatic choreography could have been done away with for a much more in sync showing.

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Karachakring TAPU: We never get tired of tapu’s prints even though have seen them before. But the foreign buyers haven’t so its all good. Sucker for good prints to be presented in a multitude of ways (thats me!) I enjoyed the chic showing of the show which had me and a fellow blogger Maliha drooling over the opening piece’s sequined bronze jacket. Roping Wardha Saleem, the duo presented a multitude of chic ensembles along with printed bags complimenting them. Hitting home with sleek n chic printed pieces, the neatly filed presentation hit home on many counts. From dresses, tunics, fun separates, Wardha made full use of flaunting those prints. Whats more its the accessories will be available in select multi brand stores.

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PIFD: The presentation of PIFD students included an array of different young ones making their debut on the runway. While I do understand their need to showcase, a trade show probably wasn’t the best place since the collections are much more conceptual and rather dramatic. While the collections were fun, brilliant and barring one, all were edgy in their conceptual outing. Loved quite a few of them, many fierce ones to the brilliantly styled and layered, these students ensued whistles from the crowd. Many had potential to trickle down to a much wearable and sellable potentia. It is now waited to be seen how they come out as their own person in the big bad world of fashion.

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FARNAZ MUSTAFA: One of the two designers on Day 1 who had everyone uninterested much on what she had to offer on the ramp. While she may have been inquired about by a buyer (yes she does have a market she caters to), it was a pretty much not an impressive showing. Roaming around the territory of evening wear, one of the two garments that I found interesting were one being a pitta work (am a fan of the technique) and other being this pair of sequined bronze pants. However they were paired with such an ill fitting top, it had me claw my eyes out. Same was the case with many others. Sorry but there are no excuses for being a designer and give bad fittings.

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HAZAN-ed: Sania Maskatiya’s latest outing Hazan continued her obsession with the Islamic motifs and geometric prints. Sania seems to pick up her inspirations a lot from the Muslim majority countries, playing upon their cultures and churning out contemporary garments be it the persian AGHAZ or the turkish LOKUM. While for many of us it seemed the same ole same ole that sania had been presenting, from slouched tunics, tops and jackets, it was definitely lapped up by the foreign clients. A pair of black and white high waisted print pants definitely caught my attention. As far as the prints go, apart from her usual softer palette, a contrasting and sharp colored palette seemed to be the order of the day paired up with black and white. While the usual print on print might be getting a bit stale (even though that’s sort of become her signature but need to come up with another trend or play up prints differently), it is waited to be seen what this brand has next up its sleeve. Whats more is that Sania seems to have mastered the journey of from runway to retail pretty effortlessly.

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BARE ESSENTIALS: The other disappointment of the night was probably Zaheer Abbas. The designer associated with impeccable finishing and collections faltered this time around. Why would you show something to the foreign buyers that they could already find in their homeland. While Zaheer’s FPW London too had casual western silhouettes,, that was a much better constructed n well put together collection. Yes you are trying to expand your market and showcasing there to appeal to their taste and break into that arena, but u need to give them something extra too what they can’t find there. The silken collection in solids of red, green and black failed to stir any impact. A hiccup once in a while is allowed therefore shall let this one pass.

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BLACK n WHITE : Sana Safinaz showing was an extension of their Veet collection (review here) sans the boobie pieces and a few interesting added drapes. While one did spot a balmain grid (yet again!!), the rest of the collection was pretty much on the mark. What is good with Sana Saf is that, they can back it up with the production ever since they have stepped into retail.